Watts v. Wells Fargo Dealer Services Inc

Filing 48

For good cause shown, the court GRANTS Defendant's request for leave to amend (doc. 47) its Counter-complaint. Defendant must file its Amended Counter-complaint on or before Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 10:00 AM. Signed by Chief Judge Karon O. Bowdre on 10/25/16. (JAS)

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FILED 2016 Oct-25 PM 04:52 U.S. DISTRICT COURT N.D. OF ALABAMA IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ALABAMA MIDDLE DIVISION ROGER W. WATTS, JR., Plaintiff, v. WELLS FARGO DEALER SERVICES, INC., Defendant. ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] ] 4:15-cv-02250-KOB ORDER This case comes before the court on “Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.’s Response to Show Cause Order.” (Doc. 47). On October 20, this court ordered the Defendant to show cause why it should not sua sponte dismiss its Counter-complaint for failure to adequately plead a claim upon which relief may be granted. (Doc. 46). Wells Fargo has timely responded to the court’s Order. Although the Counter-complaint contains facts that arguably support a claim for breach of contract, the Counter-complaint did not assert such a claim, resulting in uncertainty as to Defendant’s actual claims. Wells Fargo seeks to amend its Counter-complaint to more clearly assert its claims; specifically, to add a count alleging a breach of contract by Plaintiff. Rule 15 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure mandates that “[t]he court should freely give leave when justice so requires.” Fed. R. Civ. P. 15(a)(2). Moreover, [i]n the absence of any apparent or declared reason—such as undue delay, bad faith or dilatory motive on the part of the movant, repeated failure to cure deficiencies by amendments previously allowed, undue prejudice to the opposing party by virtue of allowance of the amendment, futility of amendment, etc.—the leave sought should, as the rules require, be ‘freely given.’ Foman v. Davis, 371 U.S. 178, 182 (1962). Because Defendant’s proposed amendment is primarily ministerial, that is, it amends the Counter-complaint to state clearly the claim to which the parties have referred throughout this litigation, Plaintiff need not file an amended answer to Defendant’s amended pleading. For good cause shown, Defendant’s motion is GRANTED. Defendant must file its Amended Counter-complaint on or before Wednesday, October 26, 2016 at 10:00 AM. DONE and ORDERED this 25th day of October, 2016. ____________________________________ KARON OWEN BOWDRE CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE

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